Communication Ministry to facilitate alternate work methods over COVID-19 outbreak

Minister of Communications, Science and Technology Mohamed Maleeh Jamaal, on Monday, revealed that efforts were underway to enable employees to work from home in order to maintain safety and prevent disruption amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

Speaking at a meeting of IT department leaders from several government ministries, Minister Maleeh stated that President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had issued instructions to facilitate feasible methods for employees to continue working during an emergency.

The minister highlighted that the Ministry of Health and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had previously prepared plans to implement during emergencies.

Although the National Centre for Information Technology (NCIT) and the Communication Ministry currently did not possess such plans, he revealed intentions to convene representatives from different state institutions to formulate a national emergency communication plan.

Additionally, Maleeh revealed the decision to temporarily halt the use of fingerprint scanners in government offices as a preventative measure and replace them with tags or cards.

A total of six foreign individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 in Maldives. Four of the cases were reported from Kuredu Island Resort and Spa while the two remaining individuals were from Sandies Bathala resort. Both resorts are currently under lockdown.